As a great semester comes to a close for Moorpark College’s Dance Department, both faculty and students reminisce on the some of the highs and lows of a memorable semester.
For Robert Salas, assistant chair of music and dance, it was seeing the light in the eyes of the students choreographers as they realized that they were on the first journey of their young choreographic life that made for a memorable semester, he said.
“They were living the dream,” said Salas. “That is what I love to see and why I do what I do.”
Students have grown by leaps and bounds; demonstrating hard work and dedication to transform in their technical development, according to Salas.
“I am so joyous to have experienced the fruits of their passion and work this semester,” said Salas. “For me, it is about introducing the students into their future selves as dancers, choreographers and artists.”
Salas is pleased to see how his students have improved and grown over the course of the spring semester.
“I made a promise to my dancers in my Ballet I/II class that if they stood by me, they would show tremendous improvements by the end of the semester,” said Salas. “I can truthfully say that they all have shown improvements and that brings a smile to my face.”
Just like Salas, the students have enjoyed their time working on amazing productions with talented teachers. Juan Melchor-Gullien, 28-year-old dance major, found a new light in himself as dancer.
“Everyday is just a different experience,” said Melchor-Gullien. “Everyday brings different opportunities to learn something new.”
As Melchor-Gullien gets ready for “An Evening of Dance,” he reflects on the hard work he and all the dancers put into “Motion Flux,” another dance performance in April.
“The technique was advanced, so it was tough and a challenge to stay in shape,” said Melchor-Gullien. “It was a great learning experience. I definitely learned a lot and discovered things about myself as a dancer that I didn’t know before.”
As the semester comes to a close, Melchor-Gullien hopes to continue doing what he loves: dancing.
“It was a productive semester for sure,” said Melchor-Gullien. “I hope to keep dancing for as long as I can and having amazing teachers here doesn’t hurt.”
Much like other dancers, 23-year-old dance and neuroscience major Nicole Araseteh found that a simple pair of new shoes bring new life into her dancing, despite the fact that they cost her a whole paycheck.
“The shoes really changed the way we danced,” said Araseteh. “Kind of the way an actor gets into their costume and it really helps get them into their character. You perform more, [and] that is what the shoes did for me. They help me perform to the best I could.”
Araseteh was able to stay busy this semester with her double majors although she admits to stressing out over performances and practicing between classes. Her passion is what kept her motivated, said Araseteh.
However, the hard work paid off when Araseteh noticed that while teaching a combination in ballet class, different students wanted her help to improve their techniques.
“It was a significant moment when they asked for help,” said Araseteh. “It was rewarding in itself.”
Although Araseteh is transferring in the fall semester, she hopes to continue coming back every summer to keep dancing.
“If you seriously love something, whatever it may be and if you’re passionate about it, you have to be willing to put in the hours to do it,” said Araseteh.
